William Bougereau Dante and Virgil in Hell 1850
The newly revised list of the seven deadly sins is indeed an announcement that makes everyone step back and consider our moral actions in terms of a much larger global perspective. The original deadly sins, embodied in the Divine Comedy, (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy & pride) have received a long overdue modification. This modification updates the sins with a global perspective in mind as the world becomes increasingly more globalized in our thoughts and actions. The updated deadly sins include, genetic modification, human experimentations, polluting the environment, social injustice, causing poverty, financial gluttony and taking drugs.

While the new list does not abrogate the old list of seven deadly sins, it places them in a new context that permit the modern believer an opportunity to apply Catholic moral and social teachings to understand the communal effect that sin indeed presents to humanity. Especially important are the inclusion of the sinful potentials in genetic modification and the immoral use of human beings in scientific experimentation. Modern advances in life sciences make it especially critical to note that human experimentation and genetic modification in the pursuit of a greater common good are serious immoral occasions that degrade the sacredness and dignity of human life. In addition to making note of scientific dangers presented in the new deadly sins, social injustice and causing poverty are noted as acts of immorality as well. What is interesting to note is these two sins have a deeply global and universal sense of immorality that collectively unite all of the people of the world. Most appropriately then, in listing these two actions as deadly sins, the communal nature of immorality is called to mind as well.

As the world increases in its secular and materialistic affections financial, gluttony makes the top list of the seven deadly sins. That makes a lot of sense because the inability and unwillingness to share resources between all aspects of humankind does indeed create a larger chasm that divides all of humanity. Finally, taking drugs for illicit purposes finishes the list of the seven most deadly sins. Finally, a clear and concise modern listing of the most detrimental actions to the fulfillment of human happiness and sanctity.

The new list of course does not replace the deadly sins made famous by Dante in the Purgatorial sufferings of the Divine Comedy; it just places them in a modern 21st century perspective. Sin and its effects are always issues for the modern believer to worry about. Now, in addition to the subjective nature of sinful actions, modern Catholics and indeed all people can understand more fully that deadly sins affect each person individually and collectively as a global society.

Maybe this new listing of the seven â€œnewâ€ and improved deadly sins is indicative of the direction, which our Catholic faith is obviously developing. That is a clearer integration of our Catholic moral and ethical principles onto a larger and universal stage of global implications and effects. Sin indeed not only provides an individual with a hiatus from grace, but also collectively produces a division between people, nations and societies.
Our new list of deadly sins clearly indicates our global relationship with each other in not only actions of personal immorality, but also the interrelated aspects of global relationships that immoral actions cause for all of Godâ€™s children.

10 users commented in " The Seven “NEW” Deadly Sins! "

Thank you for your views on this subject. I really had a rough time finding a perspective that isn’t “American News”-ified on the internet.

agcereniv said,

in March 10th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

Forgive my ignorance, but I suppose I am in need of proselytizing. Whereas genetic modification, experimentation, et al are pretty obvious (though very commonplace to various degrees), what about polluting the environment? Furthermore, “causing” social injustice or poverty? How does one do that? Finally, what about Tom Monahan (sp?) – a founder of Dominoes pizza and one of the biggest contributors to the Catholic church – is he guilty of the new #7? Or, what of the Vatican itself, one of the wealthiest institutions on the face of the planet?

Ericka said,

in March 10th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

I am so disgusted by the news that the Vatican released a new list of “deadly” sins. I feel so sorry for the people who follow the Catholic church. I want to know on what authority the Catholic church thinks they can deem a sin a mortal sin. They define a “deadly” sin as a blantant violation of the ten commandments. And they state if you are guilty of a “deadly” sin and you die, your soul will be condemmed to eternal damnation. I want to know how they figure this when they have actually changed the ten commandments and violate them on a regular basis. My Bible, the Holy Bible (not the Catholic version), states that idol worship is a blatant violation of the second commandment and going to church on Sunday is a blatant violation of the fourth commandment. So, what a bunch of hypocrites! And actually, all sins are deadly according to the Bible. The Bible states the wages of sin are death. This is why Jesus Christ had to die for our sins. They would know this if they bothered to read the Bible. The Catholic church seems to think they are all powerful and they constantly state that they do things on their own authority because they don’t have to answer to God. They state they hold God’s place on earth which is not only ridiculously bold but it’s blasphemy! They repeatedly blasphemy God based on the Bible’s definition of blashempy. It is blashempy to state that you can change God’s law on your own authority and they have done it and they are proud. Anyone that studies the Bible and Cathetholism can tell you that they changed Saturday, the Sabbath, to Sunday by their own authority and the whole world worships on Sunday and has no idea why they do it. The church actually brags about this. And the Bible also states that God is the only being that can forgive our sins yet they continue to put themselves in God’s place by stating their preists can forgive your sins. It is sick! If any other organization that wasn’t so wealthy and politically influential had the nerve to make the claims the Catholic church does and make their own rules and throw out the Bible, they would be called a cult and cut off from society! I am sick of this and feel sorry for the world that follows this nonsense without questioning it! PEOPLE PLEASE USE YOUR BRAINS AND STUDY FOR YOURSELF! QUIT FOLLOWING SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU ARE TOLD TO DO IT! QUESTION THINGS, GOD GAVE US A BRAIN AND THE BIBLE FOR A REASON!

mdshorts said,

in March 10th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Amen!

REALIST said,

in March 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

Wow! Just how many of those new deadly sins is the Roman Catholic church breaking?? Or, are they keeping with their tradition and keeping their actions to themselves??

Frank Ssentongo said,

in March 14th, 2008 at 5:18 am

I am very greatful to evceryone for the comments and after reflections about the “new deadly sins.” I believe this is exactly what God inted through this kond of revelation, to make us think and rethink about what He intends us to be living and doing. And in my view, anything against the Love of God is sin. God according to the Holy Bible (despite the version you are using)is defined as LOVE. The only Complete and True revelation about who God is is that which is shown to us by or through Jesus Christ-loving, forgivinng, kind, patient, a father (parent) and many others.
This is what i think should be believed other than following our personal feelings and gudges to impose on God what may actually be totally against the revealation which Jesus gives us of who and what God is.
But let us not deniy the rality that God speaks to us through our fellow men. And though He changes not, He always speaks to us according to the generation and kind og understanding we have bout Him. Out of humility, He humbled Himself through His son and became man, so as to reveal to us the deepest secret of His BEING. Instead of being appreciative and imitating this God whom Jesus reveals to us, out of human sturbonness, we refuse or chose to do what we think best by being too creative through additions or subtractions. I am not being judgemental to anyone, but for all our actions, we shall be accountable. God is LIGHT and all our intentions will be stipped bare before Him.

Be blessed and may this God as revealed by Jesus open and enlighten all our minds to know and believe in Him.
FRANK SSENTONGO – TANZANIA.

Jjorgensen said,

in March 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

What i do is between me, god, and his son… what the hell does have to do with the church. I got a brain n i’m using yes some of the new sins are bad things to do, but do our goverments give us much of a choice… oh its a sin now, i will stop driving my car and walk everywhere when its -25 out n i live 15 miles from twn… sorry if i’m offend anyone but this is a load of crap

Ok- as if we didn’t already have enough to worry about, the Vatican went ahead a ADDS more deadly sins to the list! It is hard to keep from the original seven, never mind trying to avoid seven more!

For the rest, visit now4my2cents.blogspot.com

Bob Said said,

in April 11th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

OK- Is it so bad to do what is right anyway? so many put down what is right these days to begin with anyway! if it feels good do it,the body is the temple of the Lord…is it not? Then why is it so wrong when 7 new deadly sins are add to the other ones? Then, you get mad at the Vitican! if you are a catholic, and trying to follow the way of God,the Father and Jesus His son,and the Holy Spirit, and when the Vitican speaks-out on it’s wrong!! What I’m trying to say,is when the pan is black, then call it black, call it black,if the pan is blue,then call it blue!!!Too many times we don’t say Yes! when we mean Yes!& NO! when we mean NO! Catholics & non catholics alike should walk in the way of Jesus the Lord!!May GOD bless you all!!!

MellyCatt said,

in June 21st, 2009 at 10:04 am

Let me congratulate the Catholic Church on creating another opportunity for me to teach my children about the pot calling the kettle black. I understand that in the turbulent times we live in, guidance is sought after by almost everyone. I think its important to remember to think for ourselves. Doing something because the church tells you to will end badly, usually. Remember the crusades? If you follow your heart and do what is right, and try to not hurt others, then you are doing a bang up job. The key to living the life of a true christian is to focus of leading by example. In other words, live your life so others will be inspired by you and emulate you. Please do not tell me what is right and what is wrong. People know this already. Inspire them to follow the true path by following it yourself, and watch the world change before your eyes.
That is the key, nothing else. You dont need to look to anyone else to see the wrong in the world, since you have no control over what anyone else does in this life anyhow. If you want to change the world, start with yourself. When you are the epitome of Christ himself, then feel free to try to correct the ways of others. Until then, lead by example.

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